Take A Walk?

Chris Brogan is one of my go to guys for all things social media.  He recommended I  read a blog called Levite Chronicles written by Jon Swanson.  Today Jon wrote about this sidewalk.  Hes part of a writing group led by Robert Hruzek.  Today the assignment was to write about What I Learned From a Sidewalk.

Did you see that? All those people?  That's a network.  A loose one.  We are surrounded by loose networks.  Its really up to us to decide if we want to strengthen the network or leave it loose.  

I shop at an independent bookstore called the Kaliedoscope.  It's in my home town.  My friend Denise told me about the store.  I may not have found it because it's on a side street.  The first time I went there, the owner was there.  Keri was nice and very knowledgeable about books.   I spent quite a bit of time there and eventually became friends with Keri. 

Keri told me about Judy who owns another store, Cornerstone Cottage.  I never would have shopped there on my own.  It's a gift store, fun store, cool store!  Now I shop there because Keri told me about Judy.  Now Judy and I are friends.

Judy told me about her friend Karolyn.  She thought Karolyn might like to know more about what I do.  I called her.  She's a client of mine now.  

The network is Denise-Keri-Judy-Karolyn.  It's a network I've worked on strengthening.  If I didn't hang out at the bookstore, no friendship would have developed between Keri and myself -- so no Keri-Judy-Karolyn.

So I see networking like walking sidewalks.  You can just walk on the sidewalk you know and keep seeing the things you are used to seeing.  Or you can stop and visit a friend.  Turn at the corner and see what's down that street.  Make a left and go to the park.  

My point? Denise, Keri, Judy, Karolyn are all clients of mine.  Now.  We are a network.  The detours I took introduced me to remarkable women who recognized the value I bring to the table - and they joined my network.    

Are you building networks? 

Image provided by Editor B over at flickr.com